Jiu-Jitsu Instructors

CHRIS “COWBOY” KELBAUGH

Chris “COWBOY” Kelbaugh got his first introduction to martial arts at an early age. His father, being a former Green Beret and LAPD SWAT member instilled in him the strong importance of self defence. He first got his start by learning wrestling, boxing and self defense from his father. He then wrestled briefly in school but eventually gravitated more towards formal self defense and kickboxing.

Moving to San Diego, Chris continued his formal training in self defense at Arena Martial Arts in San Diego taught by the Cepeda Brothers BlackBelt, Richard Scott. There he learned full contact Kenpo and Muay Thai kickboxing. He trained and competed for them for over 3 years. With the beginning growth of MMA and wanting to expand his knowledge further, Chris decided to get back to his original core of grappling and was first introduced to the great art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by, Arthur Ruff (currently a Blackbelt under Rodrigo Medeiros). Arthur had joined forces with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu legend, Rodrigo Medeiros (Carlson Gracie Team 4 degree Blackbelt) and Chris quickly followed to remain under Rodrigo and the Carlson Gracie lineage.

Rodrigo had newly founded BJJ Revolution Team and seeing Chris had a love for competition, gave him the nickname “COWBOY” and took him under his wings. Under the guidance of Rodrigo, Cowboy competed in and excelled by medaling in more than 30+ Brazilian jiu jitsu tournaments. He is a former 3X American Nationals Champion, 2X CA State Champion, AZ State Champion & competed in the esteemed World Championships both in Brazil and the USA. This helped him earn the title 2yrs in a row as “Competitor of the Year” from Rodrigo & BJJ Revolution Team. Chris eventually earned his Blackbelt directly from Rodrigo Medeiros in 2008 and is now a BJJ Revolution Team certified 1st degree Blackbelt Instructor.

Chris credits his success in BJJ to his instructor and mentor, Rodrigo Medeiros, his dedicated training partners, God and family. Since the very beginning of BJJ Revolution Team, Cowboy has helped assist Rodrigo with teaching in both BJJ and Self Defense for many years. Cowboy continues to be heavily involved in teaching and mentoring many of todays BJJ Revolution champions at the Pacific Beach headquarters. He strives to share all of his knowledge in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with his students and teammates so that everyone can improve not only in jiu jitsu but in life!

Richard Colavin Sr. is a third degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Master Rodrigo Medeiros. He began training jiu-jitsu in 1993 at the age of 52 after a lifetime of athletic pursuits that included competitive boxing and a gold medal in the SDSU all campus boxing championships (Fight Night), fifteen years of competitive rugby for San Diego State University and The Old Mission Athletic Club (OMBAC), a dozen medals in mountain biking and bicycle road-racing at the California Police Olympics and participation on flag-football teams that won several San Diego City Flag League championships. He played competitive basketball in a variety of San Diego City leagues until fifty years of age when his doctor informed him that his knees would no longer allow him to run. After viewing the first Ultimate Fighting Championship, won by Royce Gracie, Richard decided that he had to learn more about the phenomenon called Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He started training with Nelson Monteiro in Del Mar in 1993, and subsequently trained under Fabio Santos, from whom he received his blue-belt, and Carlos Valente, from whom he received his purple-belt.

In 1998 Richard began learning under Carlson Gracie black-belt, Rodrigo Medeiros, and since then has had the opportunity to train with some of the best competitors in the world. He gives thanks to John Ouano, Arthur Ruff, Stefano Aguilar, Kevin Fialko, Geraldo Costa (Kid Peligro) and all of the other students and training partners who have pushed him to learn and continue to develop and learn the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

After receiving his black-belt in November of 2002 Richard began teaching students for the BJJ Revolution Team in Pacific Beach. He has been an instructor there since that time and has had a hand in teaching a number of students who have won a variety of BJJ tournaments, including The Mundial (Worlds) as well as multiple U.S. Nationals, The Pan-Am Games and others. He is committed to giving back to the sport that he loves and to give every student all of the skills necessary to achieve their goals.

Volf Kozlowski

Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Volf moved to San Diego from Nevada after his son was born.